Archive for the 'Kole Calhoun' Tag Under 'Angels' Category

Scott Downs pitched two-thirds of an inning in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Tigers, giving up two hits and a run. Afterward he flew home to Kentucky to attend to a family matter. (AP Photo by Duane Burleson)

Angels left-hander Scott Downs has been placed on MLB's Family Medical Emergency List while attending to an undisclosed personal matter.

Manager Mike Scioscia revealed few other details about the matter before Tuesday night's game against the Red Sox but said Downs left after Sunday night's game in Detroit and returned home to Kentucky.

"Hopefully as time goes on we'll get a little more clarity as to what Scott's situation is," Scioscia said. "Scott will talk about it to the level he's comfortable talking about what's happening. Hopefully it won't be too long."

The Angels can keep Downs on the list for three to seven days. By then, rosters will have expanded (Sept. 1) and Downs could be added to the active roster even if he isn't ready to rejoin the team on the field.

Angels reliever Jordan Walden was placed on the disabled list Sunday with inflammation in his biceps. Outfielder Kole Calhoun was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to replace him on the active roster.

Walden said the issue has bothered him at times throughout the season but flared up when he threw a bullpen session Friday afternoon, after returning from the All-Star break. The move is retroactive to his last appearance (July 8) so he will be eligible to return one week from Tuesday.

Calhoun gives the Angels outfield depth with Torii Hunter nursing a slight groin injury. Hunter said he felt a tug as he fielded Russell Martin's RBI single in the eighth inning Friday and turned to make a throw to second base.

Hunter did not play Saturday and is not in today's lineup. But he does expect to play Monday when the Angels open a four-game series in Detroit.

Before tonight's game against the Dodgers, the Angels sent outfielder Kole Calhoun back to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled right-hander David Pauley.

Calhoun was 3 for 12 in minimal playing time since his promotion from Triple-A three weeks ago. Pauley was designated for assignment on June 24, cleared waivers and was assigned to Salt Lake where he made two starts, allowing only one run on seven hits in 11 innings.

Pauley brings a fresh arm to a bullpen that has been taxed by three consecutive starts in which the starting pitcher didn't make it through six innings. Three relievers -- Ernesto Frieri, LaTroy Hawkins and Jason Isringhausen -- have pitched in each of the past three games.

"We have some guys that have been throwing a lot," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "That Colorado series took a lot of innings out of our bullpen. ... We just need some coverage down there (with Pauley in the bullpen) and also Kole needs to play."

The Angels' inventory of outfielders has been seriously depleted with Torii Hunter on the restricted list, Vernon Wells and Ryan Langerhans headed to the DL -- and Bobby Abreu batting .341 for the Dodgers.

So they'll reach down to Triple-A Salt Lake and promote 24-year-old Kole Calhoun. Calhoun was the choice despite the fact that his Salt Lake teammate Doug Deeds has some major-league experience.

Calhoun tore up the Class-A California League last season (.324, 22 home runs and 99 RBI) then skipped Double-A entirely after an impressive spring training with the Angels during which he hit .354 with eight extra-base hits (seven doubles and a triple) in 23 preseason games.

An eighth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2010, Calhoun is not on the 40-man roster and the Angels will need to make a move to free up a spot for him.

After that performance in spring training, this is what Angels GM Jerry Dipoto had to say about Calhoun: